Board adopts resolution to axe position

Commissioners present at the meeting were Theodore Wilkerson, Ronnie Rentz, Sarah Boatright, Jasper Tomberlin, Charlie Leggett and Chairman Lewis Parker. Authority members present at the meeting on Wednesday were Shirley Taylor, Jay Powers, Shannon Davis, Carlos Rooks, Jimmy Twiggs and Greg Kennedy.

As a result of the meetings the board of commissioners adopted the following resolution and the recreation authority approved, with a majority vote, to accept the resolution from the commission (Powers had left the meeting before the vote was taken to accept the county’s resolution). Powers had expressed his concern to both groups about funding for the position being completely eliminated.
RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, a significant financial savings to Appling County can be had by eliminating the position of Recreation Director, a staff position within the Appling County Recreation Authority (the “Authority”); and

WHEREAS, the duties of the Recreation Director can be easily absorbed by other employees and staff of the Authority; and

WHEREAS, the Appling County Board of Commissioners desires in the current economic climate to reduce its budget and no longer approves maintaining the Recreation Director position and will no longer fund the Recreation Director position in the next budget year; and

WHEREAS, the Appling County Board of Commissioners requested a Resolution abolishing the position of Recreation Director; and

WHEREAS, the Authority has complied with said request, a true and correct copy of said Resolution being attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, the Appling County Board of Commissioners is in agreement with the terms for elimination of the position of Recreation Director as set forth in the attached Resolution of the Authority.

NOW, THEREFORE, be and it is hereby resolved as follows:

1. The Appling County Board of Commissioners consents to the staff position of Recreation Director within the Authority being eliminated effective immediately upon the terms set forth in the attached Resolution of the Authority.

2. In the event that the Recreation Director elects not to execute the Separation Agreement, General Release, Waiver and Confidentiality Agreement prepared by the County Attorney for presentment to the Recreation Director within the timeframe specified therein, the current year budget of Appling County is hereby amended to remove the salary and benefits for the position of Recreation Director of the Authority.

SO RESOLVED by a majority of the Members of the Appling County Board of Commissioners present at a called meeting held on March 23, 2011, upon motion duly made and seconded, a quorum of members entitled to vote being present at the meeting.

Following the meeting, The News-Banner made an Open Records request to Appling County Manager Lee Lewis for a copy of the separation agreement that was to be presented to current Appling Recreation Director Michael Coleman. County Attorney Bob Highsmith notified The News-Banner that this agreement could not be made public at this time citing the attorney/client exception of the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A 50-18-2(e)) (See this week’s editorial on page 4a for more on this matter.)

It has been reported to The News-Banner that on Thursday, March 24, the separation agreement was presented to Coleman. As a result of the separation agreement being presented to Coleman, he has vacated his office at the recreation department.